Has anyone ever taken Welchol? For after gallbladder removal issues.......

[marshallandcartersmo]

Where are all my gallbladder removal people?? I know there are a bunch of us on the Dis!! I will try to post "lightly" so as not to gag anyone out.

Ever since my gallbladder was removed a year and 1/2 ago, I've had "going" problems. It's gotten so bad over the past few months I plan to stay near a bathroom up to two hours after I eat (yeah, I'm a fun date!! ). It's not every day, but about 3 times a week. So I went to see my primary care physician today for my Strep throat ( ) and I mention to him that I'm still having problems, and asked him if I should see a G.I. doctor or did he have some suggestions.

He gave me several samples of Welchol. Said it was for lowering Cholesterol, but it has been found to also absorb bile, thus stopping "going" as much. He said to try 2 pills 30 minutes before I eat, not before every meal--just one or two a day. But from what I've read on the internet most doses are 1 to 2 pills a day.

Anyone on this, and if so what are your side effects and dosage? thanks!!

 

[Chattyaholic]

Subscribing to this thread, very interested in reading what people have to say on the subject.

I had my gall bladder out 30 years ago and I still have "going" problems. I have never mentioned it to my physician because I was afraid he would want me to have a colonoscopy or other "tests" and I don't want to do that but most times after I eat breakfast and lunch I have to "go" and sometimes it's hard "holding it back" if I have to walk very far to find a bathroom. I know...TMI...sorry.

I usually just have the problem in the morning and early afternoon. I can usually eat dinner with no problems at all. But some days I have to "go" 3-4 times or more. It can get frustrating.

 

[piglet too]

I too would be intersted to hear what users think. I still have issues after 10 years, but it is certain foods that trigger it. (and I love the food enough to pay the price)

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Subscribing to this thread, very interested in reading what people have to say on the subject.

I had my gall bladder out 30 years ago and I still have "going" problems. I have never mentioned it to my physician because I was afraid he would want me to have a colonoscopy or other "tests" and I don't want to do that but most times after I eat breakfast and lunch I have to "go" and sometimes it's hard "holding it back" if I have to walk very far to find a bathroom. I know...TMI...sorry.

I usually just have the problem in the morning and early afternoon. I can usually eat dinner with no problems at all. But some days I have to "go" 3-4 times or more. It can get frustrating.

That sounds exactly like me. From what I've read online the reason for that is overnight our bodies store up the bile, and in the morning it has no where to go but---out! I've realized that eating triggers my "going", so on the mornings when I have to be somewhere that doesn't have a bathroom close by, I just don't eat. Not the healthiest of lifestyles I know.

Maybe others will have opinions for us. I'm going to try Welchol tomorrow and I'll update with my results too.

 

[horseshowmom]

I'm interested too. I've never heard of this product but might be interested in it!

 

[Chattyaholic]

That sounds exactly like me. From what I've read online the reason for that is overnight our bodies store up the bile, and in the morning it has no where to go but---out! I've realized that eating triggers my "going", so on the mornings when I have to be somewhere that doesn't have a bathroom close by, I just don't eat. Not the healthiest of lifestyles I know.

Maybe others will have opinions for us. I'm going to try Welchol tomorrow and I'll update with my results too.

Oh, I try to avoid eating if I have somewhere to go in the morning too, but that doesn't always work. Sometimes if I get super nervous (like before going to the doctor, or having thyroid tests) I will have to "go" several times! It's awful! But it's just something I've "lived with" for a long time now.

I hope some people here that are using Welchol will come and tell us about their experiences with it.

You said you're going to start taking it tomorrow, so I'll be anxious for you to report back on how you're doing. Good luck!

 

[horseshowmom]

Oh, I try to avoid eating if I have somewhere to go in the morning too, but that doesn't always work.

Don't you just love it when you're traveling long distance??? I know that in my case I have to be very careful about what I eat and even then that doesn't always help.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I am going to come out of hiding and offer a suggestion - it works for me.....

I had my gallbladder out 17 yrs ago.

I had those same awful bathroom issues for MANY years. I had talked to several of my different drs. and they all basically told me my body would "adjust" or watch my diet (which I did), diff things but nothing that was overly helpful. I thought it was just ME because nobody UNDERSTOOD how it was cramping my style. I was miserable & it was hard to live like that.

Basically I had given up on complaining about the gallbladder removal side effects - it got embarrassing because many DRs. acted like my issues were so out of the norm - but wound up seeing a GI doctor for GERD....The GI DR. prescribed Nexium, Prevacid, etc. for my GERD but in the end nothing worked like good old Zantac that he wound up prescribing for me....AND on top of Zantac taking care of my GERD, it helped like a miracle drug for the ongoing issues I was having from the gallbladder surgery. Just kind of a side effect for me. I was prescribed prescription strength 600 mg (300 mg twice/daily) and now it is OTC and I buy it at Costco (their brand) CHEAP & still take the daily 600 mg. Zantac has made a mega difference in my gall bladder issues.

If I am feeling the least bit crampy or anxious, have a flight or long drive, I automatically pop a 1/2 to one immodium just for a boost.

Just an idea that did help me immensely. Before the Zantac, I was anxious about so many situations & always needed to know where the bathrooms were everywhere. The Zantac improved my life.

Lives4Disney

 

[Virgo10]

OMG! Are you people hiding in my house? I was one of the 2006 gall bladder people on the DIS, having had mine out last December. Right after the surgery I did have some "Going" problems but things seem to even off. That is until about 3 weeks ago. It's gotten progressively worse since then.

If I eat at all in the morning, it's usually just a slice of toast and some OJ and that doesn't bother me. But then lunch comes and after I eat I MUST be near a BR. Not a lot of cramping but, let me say it again, I MUST be near a bathroom! The past couple of days have been the worst.

I've had stomach issues my whole life and foolishly thought maybe after having my GB out things might be better. So I don't really know if this is related to the GB or if it's just more of the same ole, same ole. I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday and am going to make this my #1 question.

It's frustrating and scary. I had an episode about 7 or 8 years ago when they thought I had Celiacs disease and I was on a gluten free diet for about 8 months. It was the only thing that helped the "Going" problem. It turned out it wasn't Celiacs but they never did determine what was really going on. I don't want to go down that road again.

 

[mtblujeans]

I take Questran. It is also a cholesterol medication and it comes in a can about the size of a powdered baby formula can. I take about 1/8 teaspoon a day in some form of liquid. I have picked up one of those sample-sized spoons from Baskin Robbins and I measure it out with that. At a 1/8 teaspoon dosage, the can lasts forever.

I have never tried anything else as this stuff has always worked for me and I don't have to take it every day. It helps to have several small meals during the day, also.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I take Questran. It is also a cholesterol medication and it comes in a can about the size of a powdered baby formula can. I take about 1/8 teaspoon a day in some form of liquid. I have picked up one of those sample-sized spoons from Baskin Robbins and I measure it out with that. At a 1/8 teaspoon dosage, the can lasts forever.

I have never tried anything else as this stuff has always worked for me and I don't have to take it every day. It helps to have several small meals during the day, also.

My doctor said there was a powder I could try too, I wonder if Questran is what he meant? I bet so..............I just didn't want to try it because I was worried about a gritty taste. Too many bad memories of Metamusil (sp).
Anyway, I'm starting my Welchol tomorrow morning, I'll report back!

 

[mtblujeans]

My doctor said there was a powder I could try too, I wonder if Questran is what he meant? I bet so..............I just didn't want to try it because I was worried about a gritty taste. Too many bad memories of Metamusil (sp).
Anyway, I'm starting my Welchol tomorrow morning, I'll report back!

You are correct! It is terribly gritty....think fine sand paper grit....as opposed to Metamusil. I have not looked into trying anything else because it is convenient to use or take along and, thankfully, I take so little of it every day. I am interested in your experience and thoughts with the Welchol.....I'll check back.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hello all!!!!

Well....I have been trying to fix my issues through diet. It does work somewhat. Not fixed yet, however I have just really started a couple of months ago.

Oatmeal will absorb the bile and cholesterol, so I do eat that for breakfast.
I have to force myself to eat early in the morning sometimes.

I am to the point where I am retraining my body to work on a "morning schedule", if you get my drift.

I have to eat a HIGH FIBER diet...there is just no way around it. As long as I include fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc, I am much better.

Anyway it is a work in progress. I am having small successes, which as you guys know it HUGE!

If you have not had a colonoscopy, I encourage you to do so. I had issues all my life, had gallbladder removed, have horrible reflux, etc....

I had 2 pre-cancerous polyps removed at age 41. So go get a colonoscopy if you haven't yet. Lifelong "issues" are not good on your system.

 

[mtblujeans]

....If you have not had a colonoscopy, I encourage you to do so. I had issues all my life, had gallbladder removed, have horrible reflux, etc....

I had 2 pre-cancerous polyps removed at age 41. So go get a colonoscopy if you haven't yet. Lifelong "issues" are not good on your system.

I am 51 and I know I need to do this and you have now given me one more reason to get that appointment! Thanks.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am 51 and I know I need to do this and you have now given me one more reason to get that appointment! Thanks.

Good...I keep harping!!!

My mom just had hers at age 69 last week..... She had 3 polyps removed and had a diverticulum.

I got my colonoscopy because I insisted!!!! I was going to get an endoscopy to confirm my reflux and I thought heck might as well do the other since I was going to be out of it. The doc really didn't want to do it...afterall I was "only 41".....

Well I said my insurance pays for routine colonoscopy so go for it......she said OK.

After it was over she said I was lucky. If I had waited I might have gotten colon cancer. She said my polyps were on there way to cancer.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

After my January gallbladder removal I was having problems. This spring I was put on Effexor for depression, which has taken care of the other problem. As a matter of fact, Effexor is sometimes prescribed for the "going" problem (which I think is a bit wacky, but it shows that it does work for it). I do still have to go, but I don't have the urgency that I did have. I know that poop happens, but what a bother to deal with when it's an emergency.

 

[mtblujeans]

....After it was over she said I was lucky. If I had waited I might have gotten colon cancer. She said my polyps were on there way to cancer.

Oh, sheesh! Thank you for sharing this. Cancer scares me more than any procedure I can imagine!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

One more bump for the night crew........I remember there were several other disers who got their gallbladder taken out last year.

 

[krcit]

Interesting thread. I had my gall bladder out about 4 years ago and I also have the "going" issue. It has gotten better in the last year or so but I try to watch my diet and I know certain foods are triggers so I avoid them. I take a lot of Immodium and just try to plan my day carefuuly, lol. I have to say that I recently started going to the gym 3 x a week and walking a few miles 2 days a week and I have noticed some improvement in the issues. I'll be interested to see if the meds give you any improvement. I hope so.

 

[RitaZ.]

Ok, I'll share my experience... Yes, I have problems like those described here. I never had any stomach/intestinal "problems" until I had my GB removed last year. One attack led to my GB removal and the "other problem" followed. It's very frustrating. Regular milk is absolutely out of the question for me! I have been drinking Lactaid, which has helped some, but the "problem" is not 100% under control. I have also noticed that if I delay eating breakfast in the am, then I get cramps which are followed by a "bout". On days that I have class, I take Imodium to prevent "the problem". I only have these issues first thing in the morning. It doesn't happen everyday though.

OP, have you tried taking Imodium? I'd rather take an over-the-counter med and see if that helps.